Tulum is one of the most pristine and paradisiac vacation spots of the Mexican Caribbean and arguably one of the most popular in the world. It is known for its gorgeous beaches of turquoise waters and white sandy beaches. But there's a problem that's putting Tulum in the public eye for a not so good reason: the unexpected arrival of a brown seaweed called sargassum. But what is it and are we doing to not letting it ruin our lives?

First, let's understand the origin. The Sargasso seaweed has been around like, forever. There's a massive area in the Atlantic called The Sea of Sargasso and part of it gets to the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts every year. It also comes from the Brazilian shores. It was never a problem until... wanna guess? Humans. As you know, global warming has changed the course of nature, and the pollution of the oceans has originated an unusual increase in the biomass of the seaweed. The oceanic currents have changed too, bringing the plant in uncontrollable amounts to the Tulum coastline, staining the gorgeous crystal clear water beaches with a brownish appearance.

What can be done? The government and the tourism boards, along with scientists and the Tulum community, have been testing different solutions for a problem that's not entirely understood, that's why all the efforts have not been enough, and we are still looking for answers and to solve the situation.

What can you do as a visitor? First of all, take care of the environment. May sound cheesy and obvious, but every little action makes a difference. Stop using plastic (it will all end up in the ocean). Pick up the garbage you generate and even the one you find on your way, although it's not yours. Now, in terms of what can you do to enjoy Tulum... there's a lot to do! You can visit one of the many eco parks of the surroundings such as Xel-ha, Cenote Aktun Chen or Aventura Maya or even adventure into the wild on the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve and take a tour to Punta Allen. There are also lots of cenotes in Tulum available where you can swim in crystal clear fresh waters or explore the underwater caves of cenotes like the Pit or Dos Ojos in case you love diving. Your concierge has a lot of fun options available in case you don't wanna spend your vacations in Tulum just hanging on the beach. We're sure you'll find something suitable for you and you'll have a great Tulum time!